So. Not a newb with the rotary, I am familiar but never owned one. I have a comparble car to it currently. Four doors? Check so does my 07 Civic Si FA5 sedan. rev to 9K plus? Check....well 9k if I want but no need. Sport tuned suspension and great brakes? Check. But wow.......the more I read and educate myself about this car I both want it more and fear it even further.

I am aware of the power limitations short of FI, I am aware of the platform weaknesses.

Even then.....I still want to trade.

My car is a 2007 Civic Si FA5 with 175K on it. No leaks or grinds nadda. Car has Hondata Flashpro, DC Sports SRI, K Tuned CMC and SMC, K tuned shifter bushings, etc. Car is fun and zings to 8600 all day with no issues. Its not fast per se, but not slow. Guy has a 05 RX8 6 speed 6 port with 135K on it. Car has been rebuilt with goopy seals and a atkins rotary rebuild from PO. Car has new parts all over, clean title and makes great power fwik. Gonna drive it soon. Car needs a driver side front fender for a dent and thats it really. Other than the painted black wheels.

Car runs great with no CEL. Car doesnt really want to idle well when warmed up though? He has replaced coils, plugs, etc and no codes are set. Other than that runs great according to him. So. Ask your questions to help me decide.....should I swap him?

Thanks!

 

will it be your only car?
the civic is probably the better of the two, read the new owners thread, then re-read it about 12 times Read this!

 

Not idling hot is a classic sign of low compression, although it could be other things. CELs don't mean much in this car; they mostly relate to emissions problems.

Absolutely do not accept any RX-8 without a rotary-specific compression test!

Also, Sonic's da man, so listen to him and read the hell out of that thread.

 

No. Do not swap him for that '8.

I will bet dollars to donuts that his '8 is in need of a rebuild. Not wanting to idle when warm is a common symptom of low compression.

If you're really keen on it, get a rotary-specific compression test at a Mazda dealer. Pay for it yourself and post the numbers here. There should be 8 numbers in total: 3 pressures + RPM for the front rotor and 3 pressures + RPM for the rear rotor.

If it does have low compression, don't give him more than $1000 for it. Seriously, that's how much blown-engine rollers go for. If for some insane reason you still want it with a bad engine, budget about $4k to install a Mazda reman engine if you do all of the work yourself. It's about $3k for the engine and then you'll need another $1k for shipping, fluids, gaskets, tools, as well as maintenance and reliability upgrades.

Do not expect to be able to rebuild this engine yourself and have it run well your first time. There are so many little details and nuances to rebuilding a rotary (and even more so, a Renesis) that most first timers screw the pooch on one minor detail and end up having to redo it.

 

Wow. Thanks for the quick replies! Wouldn't low compression cause low power as well, and misfires? As mentioned I am familiar with them but NO PRO. Lol. The owner says it runs great and he hangs out with other rx8 bros and they said his car runs great!

It would be my daily yes.

mmmmmmmmmmmm sonething fishy....

 

running great? your first post you said it has issues with its idle

stick with the civic, but whatever you do do not get any rotary powered car without a rotary specific compression test like steve and preppie said

 

Yessir, apologies I should have said runs great driving but idles poorly when warm. I havent driven it yet so far as thats concerned - that statement made about running great comes from him and his buds. I assume low compression would contribute to misfires........but again not a pro with a rotary and as such yield to my betters to that regard.

 

Your butt dyno is no method of measuring whether or not it's low on power. Also, you say that you haven't driven it so your butt dyno doesn't even have data.

Of course the seller says it runs great. HE'S TRYING TO DUMP THE CAR.

Most of the time, compression loss is so gradual that the owner won't notice the drop in power.

And I've never heard of low compression actually causing misfires. Misfires will cause low compression and other things that cause low compression may also cause misfires so that's probably where that idea comes from.

It's entirely possible that the owner has another issue that hasn't been diagnosed that is causing the warm idle issue. A compression test will verify that. Make sure you get the numbers directly from the dealer. Go with him, sit in the waiting room and get the paperwork directly from the service adviser's hands.

 

Well Im pretty much not going with that car. I would love to have one, but feel it may be better suited as a project car or a second fun car. As far as the butt dyno goes, sure your right on that.
So far as low compression causing misfires, yes it can. I'm a service manager at a GM dealer and GM has documents about it, plus I have seen it several times. Usually it will fire sure, but such low compression can cause it to register as a miss, depends really. Also depends on why its low - bent valves or head gasket etc. Not sure on a rotary, but I again defer to the community. I speak of pistons here.....is that allowed? Lol. Well search is still on. Love to get a second gen R3 maybe? One can dream? Thanks to the community for saving me a potential poor decision. Thank you!

 

If you like modding, S2(2009 and later) may not be the best for you. S1 has far more aftermarket support.

I use mine as a DD and a fun car, and I am not modding the heck out of it, so it works for me.

 

If you're not in a rush, get one with a blown engine but good body for cheap, and put in a freshly rebuilt engine. That way you're starting fresh with exactly what you want. Apart from the engine the car has few real weak points.

 

Mmmm. The RX8 really is a dichotomy so far as perceived performance and real world application of that to the platform. Sure granted a larger budget and a penchant for a somewhat
sadomasochistic relationship with the car might be what I need.

 

mmm? It's one of the easiest cars to drive fast in stock form.

 

A GM service manager with a tricked out Civic Si?
That's quite the commentary on the products you service.

 

I would love to experience that! The FA5 Si isnt a slouch either lol. NO hate here - I'm trying to get one!

 

Not so much. I worked at a Honda dealer for 12+ years. It stuck with me. Had a 08 Colorado until recently so I support the product. Right now they just dont really have anything I want available to me here anyhow. Yes, your point is taken though as echoed by my shop foreman who gives me hell about it. BUT. I am not the only one for sure. My old service manager is a Toyota nut and his DD is a Tacoma and had a 5th gen Camaro while a Honda SM. Parts manager is the same - Toyota nut. Not so much a commentary, more a preference. The product itself is good, just not a market (IE read trucks/suvs/luxury cars) I find myself wanting at this point. Buick and GMC respective.

 

GM doesn't make rotary engines...

 

They tried to in the 60s though.

 

Lol I know. I refer to LS motors - ecotec 2.4 etc...

 

Where are you located?